Reading Week

I love to have my kids home from school. This week, being reading week, has given our family the opportunity to do weekday things that we can't do when school is going. First of all, it is not very common for their time off of school to not only include family day but also Valentine's Day. We began celebrating Valentines on the 12th. Chad and I went to the temple and on our way home we stopped by the homes of our children and personally delivered a pink rose and a valentines cupcake. On Friday the 13th, we celebrated Valentines day in our home. We decorated the dining room table in red and white and placed the rest of the pink roses in the center as a centerpiece. Each place setting was garnished with a Valentines cupcake.

For supper everyone got to build their own heart shaped pizza. They were bigger than we had anticipated and lots were saved for the next day. Friday night we went into the city to take our youth to the Stake dance. While there Myles purchased his bike. He was so excited to finally have it and the weather has been beautiful so he has even been able to use it.

Saturday, being Valentine's Day, we decided to go as a family to the swimming pool. On our way there we drop some flowers off for grandma. We had so much fun as a family at the pool. The kids and their dad enjoyed the waterslide. They also enjoyed playing together with the flotation devices that are there at the pool. As for me, I spent my time in the water working my arm and exercising it. When it got sore we went and sat in the hot tub. It was so fun just being with the kids and watching them play and enjoy their surroundings and each other. What a wonderful afternoon.

Wednesday the 18th, our whole family went to the temple to do baptisms. We were joined by Brandon and Alisha as well as Naomi. It was wonderful to have them there with us. Breanna, not quite 12, could not go in, so her and I did a little bit of shopping while we waited for the rest of them to come back out. It was a thrilling, spiritual day. There was a warmth and a joy in my heart so tangible to me that it filled my soul. After we finished at the temple we went to Brandon and Alisha's house for an indoor picnic. It was too cold outside to eat so we had our picnic on the living room floor.

Myles got to stay over at their house and Charity and Breanna got to stay for a couple of nights with Naomi. They had a lot of fun together on Thursday. Oh how I love to see my children all together and enjoying each other's company. Naomi took the girls to the park and exploring in the coulees. She bought them treats and fed them yummy food at her house. They watched movies and then Brandon and Alisha and Myles came over and played games with him. Myles got to go rock-climbing with Brandon and Alisha. I cannot describe the joy I felt as I saw my children so happy to be together. It was like experiencing a little bit of heaven here on earth.

Friday we all got to go visit grandma and grandpa Rice. We had a nice relaxing day visiting with them and then on our way home we popped back in and spent some more time with Naomi. We all left her house with smiles on our faces and a warm glow within... a glow that comes from being with those you love. This has been such a good week. I wish every week could be like this.